Closing date July issue -> May 19
From rust to shine
The worn and rusted Ford is a beautiful sight. Many cars end up in the scrapyard after a working life; this one is not destined to slowly decay. In fact, it is still in operation as an eye-catcher for the truck rental service of showtruckverhuur.nl. Dull and covered in green corrosion, it certainly attracts attention, and photography enthusiasts are welcome to snap a picture of it.
The success formula
On the show truck rental website (showtruckverhuur.nl) you will learn everything about these impressive American trucks. For a wedding day, such a truck is a real eye-catcher, and something different from a sports car or classic car. It is unknown whether you receive a guarantee certificate for a good marriage with it, but it is certainly a unique way to celebrate the wedding day.
Does it steer and shift differently?
Wim: “American trucks steer and shift gears differently. That is why we provide instruction beforehand at an industrial estate, so that we can then head out on the road ourselves under supervision to pick up the bride for the photos. For that unforgettable day, we have several trucks available, such as the Peterbilt, a red Kenworth, and the International. Of course, there are many more possibilities, such as corporate promotions and advertising campaigns. Looking, touching, taking photos, and even sitting in one is pure enjoyment; you won't find a 'do not touch' sign anywhere.”
You can find more photos below.
I would rather leave those shiny rental trucks behind and actually want to have my picture taken with this one; such a weathered front at least really grabs attention.
It's actually smart to leave it just like that. Not everything needs to be shiny to attract attention; that old skin tells the story already.
A weathered truck like that has more character than many a sleek, restored machine.
I actually find a weathered Ford like the one in the piece above a bit of a disgrace. It reminds me of an elderly man who has worked his whole life, only to spend his final years wallowing in his own filth in a care home. I know, it’s an exaggeration, but I see so many beautiful old cars where the patina has turned into 'perfectly preserved rust', and that pains me…
Many cars end up in the scrapyard after a working life...
I drove this Ford Koln type in the first photo as a chauffeur during my military service.
8-cylinder side-valve engine.
The Belgian army had a large number of these vehicles in depots until the early 1990s, where most of them ended up in blast furnaces. From 1952 until the early 1990s, these vehicles drove 5 km every six months for an oil change, after which they were stored back down.
The Ford Koln in the photo was taken at the classic car Fly-in in Schaffen; this vehicle had only driven 4200 km (the odometer was even still leaded).
All in all a beautiful vehicle, unfortunately disastrous as far as parts are concerned.